Who using Zircon heavy sand in their bags?

[dallas]

Hi guys, my name is Sergey and I am from Russia.
One topic to discuss here for those people who using Zircon heavy sand in their bags.

After some reading and exactly this article http://www.6mmbr.com/sandcomparison.html I've also purchased Zircon sand. This is really heavy but there is one very important thing here -- this is radioactive.

I've measured 5 kg (11 lbs) of Zircon sand via dosimeter in radioactive monitoring center, and this gives me about 0,06 mRem/h , but natural background radiation level is 0,012-0,02 mRem/h at my location, so Zircon sand emit about 3-4 times more than background.

Average Annual Radiation Exposure for Russia and USA almost the same and this is about 300-360 mRem, http://www.lbl.gov/abc/wallchart/chapters/appendix/appendixd.html , so if shooter will use this sandbag every day for couple of
hours, he will take about 800-1000 mRem total, at least 3 times more.

This is not so critical for life, nobody will die of this, but I guess this acts harmful for human health, also this sand can't be stored inside home, near foods, etc, this apply some restrictions if you not want extra emission.

After this I did some investigaion in the Internet and found this article, http://webmineral.com/data/Zircon.shtml , there also published radioactive data about Zircon.

Can anyone please check radiation level of your Zircon sand and maybe your friend shooters? This is very important to understand actual situation about this sand. We've discussed this issue within Russian Shooters Community http://talks.guns.ru , and 95% of shooters never known that this radioactive.

My sand is from one of the largest Zircon factories in Russia, Sibera, Tuganskoye explored reserve. But Zircon mineral should be almost the same all-over-the-world, as any others minerals. In some mountain regions we have 0,06-0,30 mRem/h level.

Also maybe anyone can measure Chromite to compare?
Unfortunately I do not have chromite available at my location.

Also one important detail, you should know mass of Zircon you're measuring, if possible please measure about 10-11 lbs to get comparable results, or I can remeasure another weight.

This is very important for us to know, how is situation in USA, as we using almost the same gear, and even some shooters purchase heavy sand from Sinclair with expensive delivery.

I repeat, this is absolutely does not mean that anyone should stop using this sand, just want to know some details. I will appreciate much your investigations about this!

Regards,
Sergey

 

[LHSmith]

Thanks for looking out for us. I use zircon, 25 lbs of it in a Gator bag. For me, I will not be too concerned as I was near Three Mile Island melt down in 1979 and already absorbed the max. tolerable radiation levels as allowed by our gov't.
Also, I have no means to measure radiation.Perhaps others may wish to take precautions, though.

 

[JRS]

LH- I work at an operating nuclear power plant and will take a bag of it in and have HP check it for me. I'll post what they say.

 

[dallas]

LHSMITH,
JRS,

thank you for replies.

Just as addition, I've found very good calc for dose per year
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/calculate.html

To calculate shooting with Zircon sand 11 lbs bag we may use parameter
"How many nuclear medical procedures do you receive per year? (14 mrem each)"
with 1/233 coefficient (14 mrem/yr divide 0.06 mrem/h for Zircon), rounded.

For example, for average conditions, per year:
-- 346 mrem will take any person
-- 374 mrem for 400 shooting hours (8h per week), as result +8%
-- 472 mrem for 2085 hours (40h per week), as result +36%
-- 878 mrem for 8760 hours (each minute with sandbag), as result 2.5 times more

Now the main question if every Zircon sand will emit (from any source) or only from some specified sources.

 

[MAJ B DRAKE]

Why don't you place a small lead ingot in the bag and use regular sand if you are focused on a heavier than normal weighted bag for stability?

Lead isn't radioactive and probably a lot cheaper than "Zircon sand"

Bruce

 

[hawghunter]

Bruce in IBS only sand is allow in the bags

Mark

 

[MAJ B DRAKE]

THanks for the update. I'm not a Benchrest shooter so that lead bar would be an issue. What about lead shavings?

Bruce

 

[JRS]

dallas- After the measurements of the zircon both inside my rear bag, and after removing it, Bobbett, one of the HP (health physics) technicians says the amount of measurable dose is so low that it is not a concern. She did state however that there is a health hazard (inhalation of the dust) during the refinement process. Although the dust is removed, there remains the fact that Zircon contains naturally occurring radiation. Bobbett ended our conversation with a good point. If you feel unsafe eating, drinking, handling or doing anything, don't do it. FWIW- I worked at TMI (Three Mile Island) during the the defueling and clean-up process for almost 5 years. After my whole body count was conducted, I picked up a total of 312 millirems. When my WBC was checked at the start of my next outage 1 year later, it was .09. During the 8 year monitoring by the EPA in a 5 mile radius of TMI, the dose rate was 1 millirem. It very quickly leaves your body. Hope this is of help and relieves your concern. Richard

 

[LHSmith]

JRS. thanks for the quick response. This info is good to know. Now I can concentrate my worrying on those evil fast food calories.

 

[dallas]

...If you feel unsafe eating, drinking, handling or doing anything, don't do it...

Richard, thank you for your measures, and this phrase is absolutely right

My concern is about understanding actual situation, just there is no any
notes about this, a lot of shooters know that this sand gives best results,
but nothing said about cons, no actual situation knowledge.

So if I can get actual numerical results from some sources -- we can compare sand.

Background of revealing this was following, I've purchased about 200 lbs of sand
(this was minimum available to purchase from factory) but I need only 40 lbs and
offered another part to neighbor shooters. About 5-6 persons made reservation
for all 160 lbs within some hours, and one man asked for radiation level. I also never
known that this is radioactive, after my measures and publishing this -- all of them
refused to take this sand because worry of their and their family health, as a lot of
gear stored at home. They prefer half the weight usual play sand, but 100% safe.

Really this is normal, a lot of people believe that radiation very hazard, but I think
that this is serious psychological issue. Actually there are a lot of people occupied
at special posts related to radioactive emission, for example X-ray physicians,
flight attendants, pilots, maybe nuclear plant workers etc. and they are alive and ok.

I'll appreciate if you can remember numerical values which was measured by Bobbett
if possible, anyway I appreciate your current help for this issue investigation.

Sergey

 

[dallas]

In 6mmbr sand comparison article mentioned that those zircon sand is Dupont Zircon M.
Just FYI, there is good PDF from manufacturer with some details.
http://msds.dupont.com/msds/pdfs/EN/PEN_09004a3580271650.pdf

 

[JRS]

Sergey- I do have the notes. This was measured with the Mueller geiger counter. I'll translate this in terms we can all understand. On contact, the sand measured a consistant 1/16 of 1mr. At a distance of 12 inches, there was no detectable dose. There was no detectable dose while in the leather bag. Setting a PED (personal dosimeter) for a chirp rate of 1mr per hour, it registered nothing. Of course due to the type of radiation contained in the sand, it is shielded by the bag. Working at an operating nuclear power plant, I have access to a world of knowledge regarding radiation. If I can answer any other questions, I would be happy to do so. If I don't have the answer, I can certainly find it.

LH- I'm with you on the fast food calorie counting

 

[dallas]

...On contact, the sand measured a consistant 1/16 of 1mr. At a distance of 12 inches, there was no detectable dose. There was no detectable dose while in the leather bag...

Richard, thank you much again, you've just confirmed my measures.
I had the same results, except not measured in leather shooting bag, just sand
itself, 1/16 of 1mR is exactly 0.062 mRem, same as I've posted in 1st message.

Can you please also make a note about sand total mass? At least approx.
And your sand source if possible to tell (Sinclair, Dupont, etc..)?

 

[JRS]

Sergey- As to mass, I can't answer that. My source of purchase is a landscape supply company. I can tell you this.... The sand I buy is produced in your motherland.

 

[hawghunter]

Dallas and JRS thanks for the info you would never think of something like this and look at all the shooters it would effect thanks for the good work Mark

 

[dallas]

You're welcome mate.

Also some helpful links:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VB2-4RTCPVC-1&_user=3377263&_coverDate=10%2F31%2F2008&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1639562759&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000059335&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=3377263&md5=ccbd2445c81bdb7123d83ef0a2a24fbb&searchtype=a

http://www.ean-norm.net/lenya/ean_norm/images/pdf/vortrag_kuemmel.pdf

http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1326_web.pdf

 

[dallas]

Update, black (seems Chromite or Ilmenite) heavy sand from Sinclair emit 10 μR/h
or equal 0.01 mRem within leather Edgewood bag, but no measures for sand itself w/o bag.

I'll appreciate if other shooters can make some measures. Thanks!

 

[JRS]

Sergy- I wonder if the sand you tested is mixed with something else?
Chromite itself is not radioactive. The heavy sand sold by Sinclair is chromite. Could it be the instrument used for this was picking up some back round radiation?

 

[dallas]

Richard,
you're right, as I mean 10 μR/h (microR, not milli-) , this is natural background level.
So Chromite emit nothing, at least in leather bag.

 

[JRS]

I would think our only real concern Sergey, would be the inhalation of the dust from Zircon sand. Until the newer forms of tungsten electrodes came about, the standard was always 1 1/2%- 2% Thoriated tungsten which also is radioactive. It remains widely used. As with Zircon sand, Thoriated tungsten is a concern when grinding the tip due to the inhalation of the dust. I use it virtually every day for most of my tig welding. I use a tri mix tungsten on aluminum.